Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Christmas 2008

Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Schampaert Family Update - 2008

Well, I'm sure most of you are like us and can't believe 2008 is nearly over already. As I ponder on what to write this year, there are so many things that make Vince and I feel a sigh of relief, especially amidst all the bad news on the economic front. After nearly 7 mos, we were able to sell our house in Arizona. We had been renting our house to a very nice couple for 2 yrs. You would think we would have waited until the market turned around but the renters were very wishy-washy not knowing what they really wanted. And so, we decided to put our house on the market while they continued to rent it. In the end, all went well and we closed EOM November.

This past year, we also had 2 family visits from Belgium. Uncle Eric was here in Feb and Christel and Catherine came over in July. In April, we went to our usual vacation spot in San Diego/So. CA. We plan on returning this Jan or Feb to see the whales migrate.

Vincent traveled to Phoenix for almost 5 mos straight, from July thru Nov. for work. Caremark, now CVS, had requested Vince for this particular project and since it was only for 3 days a week, it was doable and a nice break from Micron. If he ever loses his job, I think he would do great selling paraphernalia on ebay. He seems to have a knack for making money quickly, especially when it comes to selling our used electronics, taking him only hours to sell anything --- quite amazing I must admit. I only mention this because he just recently sold his blackberry and my cell phone in less than a day and has a history of selling other items in the past just as fast.

MaryAnne has been occupied being an administrator, chauffeur, volunteer at Sophie's school, as well as, being the project manager and multi-tasker of everyday domestic work to ensure things are run smoothly, efficiently within our household (aka super mom in disguise). Battling Utah County for property taxes owed to us the past 2 yrs was finally resolved in our favor. Initially, we were told it was extremely rare for anyone to receive a refund. So, after many months and acres of time and utilizing Vincent’s clever way with words and logic, our appeal was finally granted which paid off handsomely.

Sophie will be 5 yrs old Dec 22. I'm amazed how much she has accomplished in a year. She's fascinated with words, eager to please and is non-stop with her questions and “whys”. She's a very simple little girl only wanting balloons and a cake for her birthday, no presents. Her current favorite extracurricular activity is gymnastics. She attends preschool 3 hrs a day, 4 days a week and looks forward to it everyday… and wishes she could go to preschool even on the weekends. (I wonder how long that’s going to last?) In her words, she loves doing the centers, painting, coloring, arts and crafts, going to recess, learning how to kick her legs on the swings, playing on the monkey bars and slides, learning how to do a good job as the star helper, pass out papers, pass out napkins, be a line leader, be a good example and lead the other kids in the pledge, going to P.E., singing, etc. Whew !! As you can see she absolutely enjoys it very much. Her favorite shows are Caillou & Fireman Sam. Overall, she’s a very sweet, funny, considerate, creative and expressive little girl.

Wishing you well with lots of love and peace into your hearts and homes.

Love,
Vincent, MaryAnne & Sophie

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Saturday, July 19, 2008

Bingham Canyon Mine

Saturday, July 19, 2008
Bingham Canyon Mine
We finally visited Kennecott’s Bingham Canyon Mine. You can’t miss it from where we live. It’s the only mountain that is yellowish, golden-looking with a flat top. My curiosity finally got the best of me; we decided to venture out to see what it was all about.

It is known as “The Richest Hole on Earth” as it produces copper, metal, gold silver and molybdenum. It has produced more copper than any other mine in history. And it still contains enough copper to last through the next century, based on 150,000 tons of copper ore being extracted per day.

The mine is considered as a National Historic Landmark since 1966. It began operations in 1906. The mine is so big that it can be seen by the space shuttle astronauts as they pass over the United States. It is a pit more than 3/4 mile deep and 2.5 miles wide, thus making it the largest man-made excavation in the world. Also, if you were to stretch out all the roads in the open pit mine, you’d have 500 miles of roadway, enough to reach from Salt Lake City to Denver.

In the pictures below you will see Sophie standing next to a very large tire. The tires go on a huge truck that hauls the ore. These trucks are larger than many houses and weigh more than a jumbo jet. Each tire costs up to $26,000 and lasts 9 months -- there are 6 tires total on a truck.

There you go! More than you probably ever wanted to know.

Drive up to Visitors Center
12 feet, 6 inches high, weighs over 10,000 lbs.
Bingham Canyon
By 2015, the mine will be 500 feet deeper than it is now.

The first known use of copper dates back 10,000 years ago.
To make all the pennies, nickels, dimes & quarters in 1999, 
the US Mint used approx 36,000 tons of  copper.
It takes about 15 diff minerals to make a car, 35 to make a TV, 
30 to make a computer & as many as 42 to make a telephone.

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Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Mise en Place

Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Sous Chef Sophie
Mise en Place, the key to cooking successfully, having everything out and ready to cook. As I expected, Sophie just loved her cooking class. She was the only student there looking like she’s been cooking all day, covered with flour, egg and butter in her hair. The head Chef said Sophie did such a great job and was the only one that wanted a lot of herbs in her butter sauce. I was impressed she could actually tell me all the ingredients they used to make the noodles or Pasta All’uovo Fatta in Casa. And I was also surprised how good the noodles tasted. I must admit, the best I’ve ever had...no kidding. We have a copy of the recipe, so when Aunt Christel and Cousin Catherine are here, we will definitely give it a whirl.

Sophie and I went to Wheeler Farm today. It was another beautiful, yet chilly day. There were so many baby farm animals. Sophie did not want to leave; she could have fed the baby sheep all day long. The baby ducks and geese were ubercute and adorable. Boxster, the head honcho horse was very sociable and friendly too, slobbering all over me. I was wearing a white shirt today but after my encounter with this Belgian beaut it ended up green...keeping up with the mantra “going green,” I suppose.

The best part of cooking class, eating !
Protective mother goose ...
Cute ducklings

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Saturday, May 10, 2008

Spotlight on Sophie

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Well, I think Spring has finally sprung.  Although you wouldn’t have known it a few weeks ago with 2 days of snow off and on.  Alta and Snowbird actually received 2 feet of snow.  But it’s so nice to see the trees finally bursting with blooms and the grass getting green.  

Sophie’s preschool presented a Mother’s Day Program, which was so sweet and touching.  I knew her preschool was going to have this little show and every time I asked her about it, the only response she would give me, “it’s a surprise!”   She is learning SO much these days.  It drives Vince and me bonkers with all her questions, but at the same time I’m equally amazed with how much she already knows for a 4 year old.  I don’t think I knew half the things she knows when I was 6 years old.  Anyway, she just loves it when I “interview” her with questions.  Here are her responses:

Favorite Number:  4 because I’m 4 years old

Favorite Color:  pink

Favorite Shape:  circle

Favorite Animal:   my dogs, named Ernie and Chief

Favorite Food:  everything, except red cabbage and beets

Best Friend:  Momma

Favorite Season:  fall because I like to catch the falling leaves

Favorite Time of Day:  morning because it’s light, I don’t like the dark

Favorite New Word:  concentrate

Favorite Song:  Walking on Air by Kerli 

Why are you so cute?:  because of Momma (& Daddy, when Daddy is present)

Why are you so smart?:  because of Momma (& Daddy, when Daddy is present)

What do you want to be when you grow up?:  a ballerina dancer

What are your favorite shows/movies?:  Caillou, Teletubbies, Fifi, Dragon Tales, Noddy, Angelina Ballerina, Sponge Bob Square Pants and Snow Buddies

Sophie is still extremely reticent when other people approach her.  However, out in public you would think otherwise, being quite the silly goose, bold, melodramatic, amusing, witty, calling me “sweetie” or “honey.”  Or when she’s trying to explain something to me and says “Momma, look at me, do you understand what I’m saying?”  Or gives me orders while driving to keep both hands on the wheels.  Or when she stops me from crossing the parking lot because there’s a car approaching.  She says, “don’t go, there’s a car coming!” holding me back like she’s the grown-up.  You should see the people in their cars just laughing and smiling at her.  I can tell, she really wants to be the Momma and asks on a regular basis, when she can become a Momma.  On that note, I hope everyone has a very Happy Mother’s Day !


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Thursday, March 13, 2008

Tubing in Park City

Thursday, March 13, 2008
Tubing at Gorgoza Park

Well, I finally met hubby's boss and boy! was I impressed. He is definitely a man of great presence. I see why hubby likes working for him and considers him to be the best boss he’s ever had. He is quite respectable.

Each quarter, ABC has a team meeting held in a different state; this time it was in Utah. So, they attend a series of meetings and on the last day, they do a fun activity and welcome family members. We first had lunch, which was prepared by the boss, then went tubing for a couple of hours, a total blast. And then had dinner at the boss's mansion...well, his basement is larger than our entire house and is well equipped to entertain large crowds.

We also went skiing at Sundance. Sophie prefers taking ski lessons at Sundance because she gets to go on the chair lift and ski down the hill as she would say “all by myself!” I have to admit she has come such a long way with her skiing since this past December, almost 3 mos ago.  Let’s see, she has learned to make a pizza with her skis, learned how to stomp bugs through the magical forest and is now learning to make french fry turns. Her ski instructor from last weekend said that she is an amazing skier, very tough and brave. She went on the chair lift 5 times and wanted to do another run. She even did a blue slope (intermediate) and skied all by herself. I’m just amazed how quickly they learn at such a young age.

At Wheeler Farm, we checked up on our animal friends. We were pleasantly surprised to see some baby sheep. They range in age from 1 day old to 2 weeks. I’ve never seen a lamb up close and very young. So, this was truly an exciting thing to see not only for me, but for hubby and little one. Sophie of course wanted to take all the lambs home with us :o/

And as for the big news, from Belgium, we were EXCITED to hear that Soph's Aunt and Cousin will be coming over to visit us this summer. Sophie hasn’t seen her Aunt since 2005 and her Cousin since 2003.

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